Jul 15, 2010

This Balinese style home one block from Santa Monica beach has been our home this week. And let me just add that this home has been our best vacation rental home ever. The photos on the VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner) website were wonderful, but we were so pleasantly surprised that photos alone couldn't adequately describe this fantastic home. The home is owned, from what little we discovered, by an architect and his designer wife, along with their two boys. To say that the home is Balinese undermines the wealth of global influences around the house. From the Indian tapestries in the guest rooms to the collection of safari hats to the kilim rugs in the kitchen. It is very clear that the owners and their kids are a globetrotting bunch.

The home is surrounded by other magnificent homes and a host of shops and restaurants along Montana street. The Santa Monica Pier and the Third Street Promenade is a short walk from the home. But what makes this home so incredible is the amount of time the owners spent refining the little details which equates to a home full of memorable discoveries. From the water elements in the front and back yards, to the koi pond, to the abundance of plants and trees which secludes guests from the reality outside its walls. The main house has four bedrooms, an outdoor porch bedroom (pictured above), a formal living room, a television and music room, a family room off the gourmet kitchen, a basement music studio to an incredible back porch which overlooks the pool, koi pond, outdoor grill area, guest house and studio. The guest house has a master bedroom and a loft bedroom with two beds.

I highly recommend this home for the family looking for a global experience within the US. Coming from this luxury hotelier, this home in Santa Monica ranks up there.

View of the main house from the koi pond

My nephew in the koi pond

The pool and hot tub area

My nephew making smores in the "tribal council" fire pit in the backyard

Yes, I can see the global feel that you’re talking about. That rental house seems like a vacation home in the middle of Bali. Who would leave that compound if the house already gives you the relaxing feel of a trip in the Orient? It would surely be an awesome experience to spend a weekend there. =)